Summary
Dirofilaria immitis (DI) infection chronically injures canine pulmonary arteries. This injury produces
endothelial cell loss, platelet/leukocyte adhesion, and smooth muscle proliferation.
In the present study we assessed the effect of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, U-53,059,
on platelet function, platelet kinetics, coagulation, and smooth muscle proliferation
in DI infected dogs.
Platelet aggregation to the combination of arachidonic acid/ ADP was significantly
inhibited by U-53,059. Coagulation and hematologic parameters were not effected by
either DI infection or U-53,059 treatment. Platelet survival and the number of platelet
dense granules were reduced in DI infection. Quantification of the lesions demonstrated
that U-53,059 reduced both severity and density compared to non-treated dogs. U-53,059
is a potent and effective inhibitor of platelet aggregation which modifies smooth
muscle proliferation produced by chronic vascular injury.
Keywords
Platelets - Myointimal proliferation - Vascular injury